The Black

The desk Console chimed 0645 and something stirred next to Mac. He looked down to find Lyrian staring up at him from her head on his chest. He could feel her emotions flicker through the back of his mind as last night’s memories came flooding back. She must have noticed, because a smirk washed over her features as she pushed herself up to kiss him.

“Oh hai, I guess I wasn’t dreaming that”, Mac chuckled and returned the kiss, gently running his hand up and down on the almost microfiber soft razorback of a mane that constituted the only hair on a Delmar’s body outside of their head.

“I love you” he rumbled with another kiss this time high on her neck just below her jaw line. Then smirked as he gave her a little nip with his teeth, making her whole body shiver.

“And I you” she said, “Gods we don’t have time.” She groaned as she got up heading for the shower. Slinking away as he watched. The two of them showered quickly. Sadly, Travelers showers were not built for two. They dried quickly and put on their void suits and gym clothes. Lyrian caught Mac humming to himself as they dressed (Spill the Wine- Eric Burdon/War) , “I haven’t heard that one yet.”

Mac laughed and tossed her a set of blue tooth ear buds, connecting them to what was playing in his translators. She put them in her ears just in time for the for the first verse. Soon she was giggling and dancing down the hall toward the Rec room as Mac over acted the lyrics just behind her, weighted vest slung over one shoulder.

“SPILL WINE! TAKE THAT GIRL!” He belted out, blatantly off key. as they entered the Rec room to meet Tristen and Brayton. The two spun at the sounds with shocked looks on their face.

——————————————————————

“Mac, brother, we need to talk…” Tristen walked up To Mac as he shrugged on his vest and dropped down to start with pushups. Trusten dropped down to join him.

“Ya?” Max got out between reps.

Tristen continued between his own reps “What the void…. did you two…. do last night… ‘Bro’ I get that the claiming is intense… but the walls aren’t THAT soundproof.”

Max paused at the top of a pushup, “Oh, what did you hear.. “ he glanced over at Lyrian, she thankfully had his earbuds still in, she was stretching for the run. Her exercises were more akin to yoga or gymnastic flexibility training at the moment.

“Enough… “ mentioned Brayton as he wandered over and Mac took the recently vacated pull up bar.

“Shit” Max let out. Starting on his bar work. It was hell on the core. More so now considering last nights… events. He struggled to get through some of his reps.

“Well?” Tristen prodded again..

“Well, what?”, Lyrian bounded over.

Tristen faltered, “Uh…”

Macs mischievously streak flared up. He flashed Tristen a shit eating grin that would make a tiger shark of earth blush. Tristens eyes widened in equal parts terrified and and confused at the very human expression. “Right, teeth” Mac said closing his mouth into an evil smirk. Then looked at Lyrian, “We um, we were to loud last night, apparently.”

Just then, Lyrians parents made their entrance… lead by a very worries looking Tili. The auburn in her patterns turned bright as Lyrian blushed in realization. “oh gods…” she looked back at Mac, who was still smirking unrepentantly at her. His expression, combined with the emotions boiling off him, was too much. Lryian dissolved into giggles as the 4 started their jog.

Five kilometers was the order of the morning for Lyrian, with the Boys pushing each other, well, other than mac, up to 10k. They goaded each other on. Bryton almost made it, and Tristen didn’t look quite so far behind during the final sprint. Lyrian chose to do her calisthenics while the boys did their longer run, only to be interrupted by her mother. Doc Icario simply observing the conversation. Max noticed the blushing on Tili’s face as lyrian broke away from her toward the showers. Soon everyone cooled down and showered. Tristen waved as they each headed to their cabins to dress for duty shift.

The couple were just leaving the Rec Room followed by Doc and Tili when the master alarm sounded.

——————————————————————

Captain Kar stepped onto the bridge of the Convergent Dawn, “report.”

“Weapons banks charged, emitters on standby Captain. We are inside the dilation envelope for real time Comms, audio only.” barked the chief of the watch.

“Time to intercept?” Inquired the captain, taking his place on the command chair, which resembled more of a stool with a slot cut for a tail, as Kar’s people did not make use of back rests.

“If they heave to immediately, 17 ‘minutes’.” came the answer from the Helm.

“Very well, open a Frequency.” ordered Kar settling into his chair with a practiced eye scanning the information being fed into its HUD.

“D.C. freighter Lucid Traveler… D.C. freighter Lucid Traveler, this is UGN Convergent Dawn.. acting under section 1… Heave to and prepare for intercept… monitor point 7-6.” Kar listened to the Comm repeat the Hail.. twice more. ‘Hmm they probably have aging comms, might need to get clo….’

“Captain, confirmation received. They are Hove to, ETA 16 ‘minutes’.”

“Very good” Kar nodded to the young man. The kid had done well to raise the Traveler at this distance. Something to note in his file.

—————————————————————

“This is the captain speaking” Silu’s voice cut over the Klakson as his shipwide intercom overrode it. “We have been hailed by the UGC Convergent Dawn and are heaving to in compliance with Section 1. All hands, prepare for Intercept. Senior crew to the bridge..”

“Fuck!” Mac cursed and started sprinting for his quarters. Lyrian arrived just a moment later to find him tearing off his vest and void suit.

“What are you doing!!” She cried as she threw on her poncho and security ID.

Mac waved to his clunkier G suit on the wall, “Go! I need to get into that thing! It will help keep me from stroking out If I have to fight!”

“Fuck!” She swore pausing just enough to help him get his suit over his shoulders. He Zipped it up and she handed him his helmet. “Don’t you DARE die on me!” She growled, bearing her fangs at him before kissing him deeply.

He kissed her back then pulled away, “GO!” He ordered. She could feel his worry. But something else, that Icy danger she saw in his eyes during the pirate attack broiling just below the surface.

She did what she was told and Bolted for the Bridge. She was the best pilot on the Traveler despite he age, she was needed. In the back of her mind the wheels turned ‘what was that I felt.. and why did he feel so… different… but so calm’.

——————————————————————

BigMac came thundering down the corridors, listening to directions to get to Hanger three through his translator. He knew most of the way by now, but now was not the time for mistakes. The TALON G-suit was bulkier than a void suit, but very light compared to earlier models. It only made him a third again as heavy than he was without; less than half his exercise vest.

People made way and he pounded by, shaking the bulkheads as he used the lower gravity to press his speed, down to Hanger 3. He slowed just enough to let the corridor door open then he bounded in, the steps and a jump made it most of the way up. The G suit slowed him more than the void suit he was in last time. He keyed the Concords code through his mic and the ladder extended in time for him to grab it a vault inside to the front seat. Mac barked out the codes as he felt his seat connect with Concord, it began to cycle it pressure points as it synced up with both him and a concord.

“Concord here, ready for launch sequence start” Mac barked, keying his com.

“Cleared for launch, we are hove to and waiting. Gods be with you.” a voice from the bridge responded. Nobody he recognized.

The hiss of air cycling out of the hanger slowly faded to silence. It was replaced by the Hum as Concord awakened from her slumber. Her twin cores silently spun up as Concords final drives Howled to life with their familiar Baying that accompanied high output Drives of this type. Mac had been amused when he first heard it. Many likened the noise to the unholy combination of supercharger whine from a 21st century Hemi v8 and a Tie fighter from the cult classic ‘Star wars’. Nobody outside of Mac could hear it now, but Concords bones spoke to his.. Her frame resonated with the sounds of her keening…Begging to be loosed…Baying for Blood.

Mac pressed his throttles forward slightly, engaging high idle instead of maneuvering thrusters this time. It was why he had parked Concord as he had, bow to the Hanger Doors.

“Jarvis, systems check” BigMac ordered, easing Concord out of the hanger and flicked her into spiraling dive down into Traveler’s shadow. Mac simultaneously reorienting and matching velocities as he concealed himself alongside the Freighters Bulk. Traveler was currently “hove to” still on course and in motion, but only at 1/3 her sublight capability. It was standard procedure for Intercepts this far from the Galactic unity core worlds.

*Propulsion, green… Powerplant.. green.. Life Support… Green, Suit link and calibration.. green…. Con-Ord (conventional ordinance) … green. Conventional Phenix’s 50percent capacity. … Strategic… green, all warheads accounted for and stable….Guns…. Green, ammunition at 70 percent. All systems nominal* BigMac winced at that… that was not a lot of ammo to use on the main guns. He needed to be able to conserve ammunition until he could secure more or get it manufactured.

“Jarvis, weapons reconfigure, Set the GAU to 5 round burst alternating.”

*Reconfigure complete. Warning: New contact, bearing 198 by 175*

BigMac looked over his left shoulder and slightly up, in time to see a flash of blue fading as the UGN capital ship emerged from Subspace.

—————————————————————

Convergent Dawn quickly overtook Lucid Traveler. She was a Frontier Brigantine class warship of the UGN, little more than half the size of Traveler by displacement. She boasted not the weight of doom that a Fleet level Warship would demand, but speed and sustainability were her weapons.

She was a relatively sleek design, a long central core with a cluster of direct fire lasers set up in a fixed battery, fully automated ship grade plasma and laser turrets for point defense. She had no missile bays or guided plasma torpedo’s. She mostly didn’t need them. Her power core, oversized by UGN standards was capable of charging her weapons banks in a little over an hour, but those weapons banks could keep every laser and plasma weapon on her firing at the same time for close to three. With an oversized engine cluster at the rear, the warship reminded BigMac of a rocket-powered Top fuel dragster made of Lego’s,” …. In spaaaaace…” he smirked to himself.

Big Mac eased Concord’s bow around, pointing the most sensitive array he had at this looming warship. Concord was equipped with spherical active and passive scanning, but her most sensitive equipment was installed in her bow.

“Jarvis, full passive scan. What am I looking at.” Mac ordered… moments ticked by

Mac had updated Jarvis, and Concord, with a data packet from Captain Silu, after revealing some more of concords capabilities. Jarvis had what he needed to know what he was looking at.

After a few moments, *Target is a light Destoyer class, registers as ‘Frontier Brigantine Convergent Dawn’. Moderately armed, energy based only. A capacitance design as well. Shields are either weakened or lack the strength of Terra-Mars designs. Strategic not needed. Two fox2’s would be required to neutralize. *

“Wait…. Two fox2’s? What about those pirates… We used phoenixes on them..”

*calculating… post battle preliminary data suggests that Phoenixes were a waste of ordinance in that engagement.*

“Fuck..” Mac cursed, “warm the fox 2’s to stand by, and find me its power core. Maintain silent running.”

Capacitance based weapons banks… meant that taking the core wont stop the Dawn from opening fire… not without a massive power surge.. It also meant that This ship was several decades behind Sol in reactor development. ‘Or maybe lack of deuterium resource’s’ he thought for a moment.

“Jarvis, plan two primary targets, plot MAC targeting solutions for the weapons banks, and the the core. I want options. Keep the HUD in declutter for now. Essential info only.”

*confirmed.*

The Retro Thrusters flickered out on the Dawn as she matched Travelers pace, 500 ‘kilometer’ to port. the Coms lit up for the first time as the warship Hailed his new Home.. BigMac inched his nose on the Velcro inside his helmet… He Hated waiting.

——————————————————————

“Incoming hale, It’s the Dawn” Comms reported.

Captain Silu took a deep breath, “Receive, put it on my monitor”

The screen He turned to flashed to life with the image of Thermian in a command chair, “Captain Miccurious Drillumerum I presume… thank you for your efficiency in our request. I am Kar, captain of the Convergent Dawn.. We are here on an investigation looking into a Peculiar Pirate Skirmish out of Bricus4.” He began in perfect Galactic Common.

“A pleasure, Captain Kar. Yes, we are familiar with the incident. How can we be of service to the Unity.” Responded Silu.

“We have most of what we need. You, Captain, are in no legal trouble. By all sensor records, you were the Defensive party. Ours is of a more… scientific nature.” Kar continued, “We believe you have a unique vessel on board. One with capabilities unknown to the Delmar or the greater galaxy. We have it’s beacon data, we know it re entered your ship and was not seen again after the battle. We know it sank two pirate Barges and downed 5 snub fighter class craft, all the while refusing to show any signs on anyone’s sensors. We require that vessel to complete our… investigation.”

‘Well, here goes’ thought Silu, keeping his practiced calm. “Captain Kar, all of your information is indeed accurate. We do have the vessel with us. It was responsible for our defense in bringing aid to Bricus4 under the flag and protection of the Unity under the GHO” Silu chose his words with deadly precision.. He needed footing.

Thermians, as their name suggests, have notoriously good heat sensing vision. It made them natural lie detectors. Supposedly, Delmar were notoriously bad at fooling Thermian inquisitors during the Unity Wars. That was not a legend Silu wanted to test today, “However, there is a matter of law preventing me from handing over said vessel.”

He could see Kar’s eyes narrow their slits further, to his credit he showed no other emotion. Thermians disliked not being obeyed. “Oh?” Kar’s tone took on a deadly edge.

——————————————————————

“Oh, Shit” BigMac swore into his helmet as the deadly tone registered. “JARVIS! full tactical read out!! Bring the GAU online. Wake up the Fox2’s. How close can we get without them seeing us.”

BigMac edged the throttles forward on the Drives, keeping Concord nose on to keep the howling demons thrust hidden behind her stealth skin. If he had to go loud, He was going to be in knife range. He kicked Concord over and began a spiral approach. Maximizing Delta V while keeping nose on to the Warship Commanded by a Man who had just made a decision.

*Sensor analysis complete. We can get within 8.45 Kilometers before their active sensors will acquire us. 10.41 if we go active our-self*

“Go active, plot a spiral approach I need an angle on those weapons banks that won’t have me shooting Traveler” ‘and having that captain pointing weapons at them trying to get to me’.

*course laid in* a virtual course appeared on his HUD, Concord Bellowed her Fury into the black as BigMac advanced the throttles.

——————————————————————

“Oh?”

Silu heard the warning in that one word. This was a dangerous game. He kept his composure the best he could, “I am afraid that there has been a development. The man whose vessel is responsible for saving our lives is a member of Tribe Helyon of the Delmar Confederacy. And as per treaty, all of his possessions/property/ and personhood fall under Delmar’s treaty with the Galactic Unity.” Silu, was about to continue when a small twinkle of light caught his attention our the Bridges front windows. ‘Oh shit’ His every ounce of discipline kept him from showing emotion, “I could no more turn him over to you than I could my own brother under section1.”

Someone handed a pad to the Thermian Captain. This time he did scowl, “We see it, a… James Mackenzie Grarzia and a Lyrian Mackenzie Grarzia. Come now Captain, this is dated less than two days ago, what is to stop me from putting a freeze on this to check for authenticity.

This time Silu’s voice edged dangerous, “The same treaty the keeps your economy afloat. And has for millennia... it is authentic… Captain…. I assure you. “

Kar sat back in his seat, then a smile crept across his face. He didn’t bother to hide his teeth, “Captain be reasonable, maybe we can come to an… accommodation...”

“My sincerest apologies captain, but I do not see one available.” Silu responded, a stone sinking deep in his gut.

“I see one…” Kar waved the offending data-pad and threw it on the ground off screen, “you rescind this little charade of a document, and hand over the vessel and its owner so we may…. Investigate…. Or I will take that vessel whilst sifting through the bodies of your tribesmen and the shattered remains of that relic you call a freighter. This is the frontier, Captain… there is no one who will bother to learn the truth,” he leaned to his right, “bring the Lasers online.. no need to waste plasma.”

“You cross a line, Kar…” Silu responded.. spitting the man’s name, as two streaks arc out from a point in space far closer to the Dawn than he could have ever imagined. Then he realized the hail was still active as the impacts reverberated into the conversation

“Shields down captain! Searching! No Tar… “ the Tactical station was interrupted by the shredding sound of shrieking Metal.

“Captain! Our weapons banks are offline. Section 2-3 and 3-6 are venting atmosphere! Offensive capabilities Inop!” Came a voice over the hail as Kar swung his head toward the view screen, “you dare attack a warship of the UNITY!”

“I did no such thing,” Silu responded coolly.

A new voice broke into the Hail.

—————————————————————-

“No, But I did.” that Icy hatred shattered onto the frequency. “Captain Kar..” the Distain from this new voice caught Kar’s attention.

“You have just threatened a treaty you swore to protect when you were commissioned as an officer. This exchange has been recorded and will be sent to every Delmar and Unity official inside the halls of government and the Military.” the voice continued.

“You are unauthorized to be on this frequency! IDENTIFY YOURSELF.” Kar barked.

“Captain, one contact! Off our bow, Gods it’s coming right to the bridge viewports.” The Nav/sensor officer cursed. Kar turned to see a demon in white, accented with blue and Red appear out of the void.

——————————————————————

Big Mac fought to control his rage. He stalked up to writhing 20 ‘meters’ of the view port of the now defenseless Convergent Dawn’s bridge ‘go big or home, right Mac?’

He keyed his microphone, “ I.. Am.. Your Executioner” he released his mic key , “Jarvis. Open everything. Full active, warm up strategic, authorization Sic Semper Tyranus 6-7-4-4”

Concord bore her fangs at the disabled warship.

——————————————————————

A warning Klakson spoke in the bridge of the Convergent Dawn the Sensor station swore, “ATOMICS ALERT! ATOMICS ALERT!! Captain, 10 Atomic signatures, 20 meters.! “

Kar turned his attention back to the the floating Predator outside his observation window with enough on board, he realized, to end a planet. It spoke once more.

Big Mac keyed the mic once more, “I... Am.. Death… The Destroyer of Worlds. And I…. Am…. Helyon. You will withdraw or I will defend my tribe under article 6 of the Delmar/Unity treaty. I will erase you from the universe should you not comply inside 1minute.” ‘Thank you Doc for the crash course.’

“We will meet again, Demon.” Kar’s voice dripped with venom.

“I look forward to it.” BigMac low rumbling response dripped with heartfelt anticipation, narrowing the Thermian captains gaze in understanding. Kar cut the Hail. Convergent Dawn, smoking from her starboard side, and still venting atmosphere, swung round and started her Burn for FTL...... back the way she had come. Fifteen minutes later, Concord eased into Hanger3, taking her place facing the door.